Guest Book

Even though we're a bit behind on our wedding planning (we have yet to book a minister or any type of music), I still find myself thinking about things that are far less important to decide on anytime soon. One of these things is what to do for a guest book.

I don't really want a traditional book guest book, simply because, well, I already have a million books, and I really don't think I would look through it again. I have found a couple of ideas that are possibilities, and I thought I'd share them with you:

1. Puzzle Pieces

This adorable idea was found on Etsy.com, and the handmade wood puzzle can be purchased from the seller, Bella Puzzles. How cute would it be to put together the puzzle later in life and read all the cute wishes and congrats? (It'd be fun for future kids, too.)

2. Thumbprint Tree Print

While I'm not a huge fan of the large matted photo frames that seem to be popular at weddings as of late, I do adore this idea of having your guests put their thumbprints on a print of a tree, with their initials. You can see more at Etsy.com, but this print is from the seller, Sweet Carolina Design.

3. Wine Bottles

Since my fiance has recently become a self-proclaimed wino, this idea could be perfect for us. Guests sign one of several nice bottles of wine, and the bride and groom promise to toast to their guests when they sit down to enjoy a glass or two. I love the practicality of this option, and the fact that you could use the wine bottles as vases once they're empty.

I'd love to hear some other suggestions, if anyone has any!

L. Stacks

My Maid of Honor

One of the things that has been the hardest for me during this wedding-planning journey hasn't necessarily been figuring out the guest list, or choosing the caterer or even finding a wedding dress. Instead, the one thing that I keep thinking about is how to carve a place for my sister on my important day.

For those of you who don't know, my sister is a beautiful, happy, 21-year-old. She lives at home with my parents, is in school, and loves watching movies and sleeping. But she has Angelman's Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder on the autistic spectrum, and basically what this means is that she functions more like a three-year-old, and has a hard time with even the most basic communication. She is, and always will be my one conundrum: my intricate riddle, my question that has no answer. While she is often the topic of many of my creative nonfiction essays, like this post's excerpt, I know that no matter how much exploring I do, I'll never be able to figure her, or our relationship, out.

It seems that, lately, it's most common for brides and grooms to choose their siblings as their maid of honor or best man. And I love that. Family members are built-in friends, and people that will always be there, so why not give them important positions on the important wedding day? I struggled for a long time trying to decide what my sister's role would be in my wedding. I knew that I wanted her to stand up for me--yet, for her, to stand up for a long period of time is about as easy as it is for a three-year-old to sit still. And, quite frankly, I worried about her being in front of a group of people... would those who didn't know her stare? would she interrupt the service with one of her favorite phrases, don't argue with me?

And so, I decided that she would, indeed, stand up, but while sitting next to my parents. And I made an even bigger decision, too. I had been constantly wishing that I could have a sister who could be my maid of honor, and after talking to my fiance about it, he said to me, "Then have your sister as your maid of honor. We can figure out the toasts and all that later." And it was as easy as that. Simply because Paige can't throw me a bachelorette party, or give an eloquent speech before dinner doesn't mean that I can't still give her the title that I want her to have.

This morning, as I was sitting with her on the couch, waiting to put her on the bus for school, she was singing along to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and bobbing her head back and forth to the music. Just seeing how happy she always is was a reminder that I had made a good choice. She will probably do so much more for me than most maids of honor--in her good personality and patient joy, I'm sure that she will remind me to simply be happy on the big day, like she always is.

L. Stacks

Anthro Addiction

I am proud to say (though my pocketbook may disagree with me) that this week I went to my absolute favorite store, Anthropologie, three days in a row. It's kind of a little pick-me-up like drinking coffee or reading a good poem. (Side note: I actually found my dream job: editing for Anthropologie's website and catalogue--they wanted writing experience, editing experience, and experience with blogging, twitter and facebook... perfect!--the only problem is that the job is in Philadelphia, and I'm not ready to move out of Chicago just yet.)

Anyway, yesterday was an exciting trip to Anthro because I purchased... (dramatic pause) my bridesmaids' dresses! I am just thrilled with how lovely they are and can't wait to see the full effect. The dress is their navy All-Seasons Shirtdress, which apparently has been selling like hot cakes on the web, so I guess I picked a keeper. I hope the dress conveys the right amount of vintage and casual vibes while still remaining classy and appropriate.

What do you think?

L. Stacks

Bed-Making and Family Visits

This weekend my parents and younger brother are coming to visit! I'm excited to show them around the city and enjoy the warm weather.

My mom and I are going dress shopping, which is something that I'm looking forward to and also dreading. I just really dislike how pushy most of the saleswomen are, and how that can ruin the whole dress-buying experience. Personally, I don't like going into store where salespeople are constantly following you around, telling you how great something looks, or suggesting high-priced clothing. Anyway, wish me luck!

This morning, while I was doing some last minute cleaning to get the apartment looking spic and span for the big visit, I was making my bed, stretching and arranging my sheets and blankets and pillows. As I was doing so, I realized that I make my bed just like my Grandma Stacks always did... with the sheets and blankets tucked down rather than hiding under the pillows. I can remember my first lesson in bed-making, when I was probably nine or ten, and my Grandma instructed me on how to fold down first the quilts, and then the sheets. It was like in a hotel, she explained. And I always liked that. It's funny how, for all these years, I haven't realized that I inherited my bed-making skills from her--but I'm glad.

Have a wonderful weekend.

L. Stacks

Catchin' a Train

Hello followers!

Today is blue and sunny, and I'm feeling so much better about this Chicago winter than I was yesterday--plus I'm about to hop on a train in a couple of hours to head to Michigan for the weekend to see my family for a night and to do some wedding planning. The last time I took the train home, this is what I got to glimpse out the window:

I'm excited for this weekend because I haven't seen my family since the engagement, and because my parents' puppy (who's not so much a puppy anymore) goes absolutely nuts over me when I walk in the door. Not to mention the fact that I'm meeting with a woman in Ann Arbor who sells wedding dresses on etsy to talk about getting a dress custom made!

I've decided I'm going to take a little blogging break until Monday in order to be very, very productive with my thesis writing (I need another 10 or so pages in exactly one week!). So check back with me on Monday, and hold me accountable for some quality writing by then.

L. Stacks

I SHOULD Be Reading...

I was assigned more than 115 pages to read for class tomorrow night, and I still have about 30 more to read, however I just can't seem to focus.

So instead, I've been thinking about... silhouettes. I'm not sure if all of my readers know this about me, but I love all things vintage. I think it started when my mom and I started cleaning out my grandmother's two-story, chocked-full house. I found myself thinking twice about things that I can normally gazed past--bright blue glass jars, her tapestried loveseat, old blue-green Mason jars, and dozens and dozens of framed silhouettes--and suddenly adoring them.

My grandmother's silhouettes have been an inspiration for me for our wedding planning, something that I keep going back to, and constantly googling images of. Here are some things I've found that have been a source of wedding inspiration.

Tomorrow, I will post a more productive writing-focused blog, I promise.

L. Stacks

Weekend News

My dear readers, I have some news to share: this past weekend, after T and I got done with a nice date night (dinner and a movie), he pulled a beautiful ring out of his pocket and proposed! (I said yes.)

The rest of the weekend was a whirlwind of calling friends and family, planning and pinching myself to make sure I wasn't just daydreaming. So, don't be surprised if I share parts of my wedding planning, and other gushy things. (But don't worry, writing and reading is still my main focus!)

Still in shock, :)

L. Stacks